As the world eagerly anticipates the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the women’s football tournament is set to captivate audiences with its blend of skill, passion, and fierce competition. Kicking off on July 25, a day before the official opening ceremony, this event promises to showcase the pinnacle of women’s football talent from across the globe.
Format and Teams
Twelve nations will vie for Olympic glory in a tournament structure that combines group-stage drama with knockout-round intensity. The teams are divided into three groups of four, with the top two from each group automatically advancing to the quarter-finals. The two best third-placed teams will also progress, ensuring that every match in the group stage carries significant weight.
| Group | Teams |
|---|---|
| A | Canada, France, New Zealand, Colombia |
| B | Germany, United States, Zambia, Australia |
| C | Japan, Brazil, Nigeria, Spain |
Full Schedule
Group Stage (July 25 – August 1):
| Date | Match | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|
| July 25 | Canada vs New Zealand | 8:30 PM |
| Spain vs Japan | 8:30 PM | |
| Germany vs Australia | 10:30 PM | |
| Nigeria vs Brazil | 10:30 PM | |
| July 26 | France vs Colombia | 12:30 AM |
| United States vs Zambia | 12:30 AM | |
| July 28 | New Zealand vs Colombia | 8:30 PM |
| Brazil vs Japan | 8:30 PM | |
| Australia vs Zambia | 10:30 PM | |
| Spain vs Nigeria | 10:30 PM | |
| July 29 | France vs Canada | 12:30 AM |
| United States vs Germany | 12:30 AM | |
| July 31 | Brazil vs Spain | 8:30 PM |
| Japan vs Nigeria | 8:30 PM | |
| Australia vs United States | 10:30 PM | |
| Zambia vs Germany | 10:30 PM | |
| August 1 | New Zealand vs France | 12:30 AM |
| Colombia vs Canada | 12:30 AM |
Knockout Stages:
Quarter-Finals (August 3-4) Semi-Finals (August 6-7) Bronze Medal Match (August 9, 6:30 PM IST)
Gold Medal Match (August 10, 8:30 PM IST)
Venues and Locations
The women’s football event will be conducted across seven stadiums in France:
- Bordeaux Stadium in Bordeaux
- Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium in Saint-Etienne
- La Beaujoire Stadium in Nantes
- Lyon Stadium in Decines-Charpieu (near Lyon)
- Marseille Stadium in Marseille
- Nice Stadium in Nice
- Parc des Princes in Paris
The gold medal match will be played at the Parc des Princes in Paris on August 10.
Key Players to Watch
This Olympic tournament features a mix of established stars and rising talents:
- Marta (Brazil): Six-time FIFA World Player of the Year, playing in her sixth and final Olympics.
- Wendie Renard (France): Captain and defensive stalwart for the host nation.
- Sophia Smith and Trinity Rodman (USA): Young talents leading the USWNT’s new era.
- Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas (Spain): Ballon d’Or winners at the heart of the World Cup champions’ midfield.
- Barbra Banda (Zambia): Made history in Tokyo with consecutive hat-tricks.
- Racheal Kundananji (Zambia): Recently became the most expensive player in women’s football.
- Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria), Linda Caicedo (Colombia), and Alexandra Popp (Germany) are other notable stars to watch.
How to Watch Live
The tournament will be broadcast globally through various media rights holders:
- France: France Télévisions
- United States: NBC
- New Zealand: SKY NZ
- Europe: Discovery Eurosport
- Japan: Fuji TV/NHK/Nippon TV/TBS/TV Asahi/TV Tokyo
- Germany: ARD/ZDF
- United Kingdom: BBC
- South Africa: SuperSport
- Australia: Nine
Fans should check local listings for specific broadcast times and streaming options in their region.
As the tournament approaches, excitement builds for what promises to be a showcase of the best in women’s football. With a mix of established powerhouses and emerging forces, the Paris 2024 Olympic women’s football tournament is set to deliver unforgettable moments on the global stage.